Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Taub Family Vineyards traces its roots back four generations–mere days after the repeal of Prohibition. Wine has always been at the heart of the family's story. Marc D. Taub, raised with a profound reverence for winemaking, inherited this passion from his grandfather Marty, a pivotal figure in the wine industry since the early 1930s and later, his father David. In 2013, Marc acquired Heritance Vintners in Napa Valley, now transformed as Taub Family Vineyards. With their namesake, Marc and his son Jake look to explore Napa's most dynamic sub-appellations and single vineyards to build their own storied cabernet house, curating wines from some of the Valley's most esteemed sites.

The 2021 growing season began with very little rainfall, marking the second consecutive dry year in Napa Valley. While the drought conditions posed challenges, it also led to smaller berry sizes and lower yields, resulting in wines packed with intense, concentrated flavors with winemakers eagerly anticipating a vintage of exceptional quality. The season unfolded smoothly followed by a relatively uneventful harvest beginning in early September. Grapes for this cuvee come from exceptional vineyards throughout Napa Valley, leveraging the fruit drive and power of the warmer norther climes with the ripe tannin concentration of mid-Valley benchlands and the freshness and profound color from the cooler south Valley blocks.

Grapes are hand-harvested, destemmed, and hand-sorted. Cold soak lasts for 3–5 days, followed by approximately 14 days of fermentation with pumpovers determined to optimize extraction. Fermented to dry on skins with an additional 7–21 days extended maceration to optimize the flavor, mouthfeel, and tannin structure of the wine. Drained, pressed, and transferred to French oak barrels for malolactic fermentation and ageing. Aged for 22 months in 100% French oak (50% new).

This wine opens with inviting aromas of mixed berry, dark chocolate, and a hint of earthiness and licorice. On the palate, it’s rich and full-bodied, unfolding layers of ripe blackberry and plum that linger throughout the finish. The mid-palate is velvety and smooth, supported by a firm backbone of structured tannins that promise aging potential. Subtle notes of toasted oak complement the ripe fruit, adding depth and refinement. The wine finishes with a long, mouthwatering flourish of dark fruit, framed by a delicate but persistent tannin structure that provides both power and grace.